In a NaNoWriMo frame of mind

Many things of which I want to note this morning; both the 49ers and Packers won, whew! My Niner game wasn’t too stressful, although the offense played poorly in the first half. During the Packer game, I went to my room and read In Watermelon Sugar, by Richard Brautigan. I could still note my husband’s groans, we live in a small house. Then hearing his raucous YES, I had to investigate. By hook and by crook the Pack beat the New Orleans Saints, which made the remainder of the evening pleasant.

Football means that much to my spouse and me, and will finally make its way into my fiction. For the next short story for Top Writers Block, I will be incorporating that beloved sport, about time!

This is why I love October so much; gridiron action every Sunday, baseball most other days, signaling the end of the regular season and the beginning of the post season. My SF Giants are in LA today, will play their last three games against the Dodgers. Then they will meet the Nationals or Reds in the first round of the 2012 playoffs. And then, large smile and relaxed breath, there is National Novel Writing Month.

That has nothing to do with the Washington Nationals. NaNoWriMo has to do with 50,000 words in 30 days. It means writing, and all that goes with it; plotting, procrastination, forums (which can fall under procrastination), write-ins, swag. I have a new t-shirt, stickers, and a hoodie. I wanted that sweatshirt last year, but it found its way to me this year. Once our brief but blazing Silicon Valley heatwave ends, I’ll even wear it!

In the meantime, the NaNo site resets today, forums wiped, time to upload new novel info, and revel in the joy that is autumn. October is a good time to meet new writing buddies and steep oneself in all the noveling magic available. It’s shoehorned in between sport and cooling (or eventually temperate) weather. It’s why I’m here, writing this post. In a few days, I’ll regale anyone willing to read just how I started NaNoWriMo, way back in ’06. But for today I’ll be keeping one eye on the NaNo site, one on the WIP (revising Alvin’s Farm #6, The Timeless Nature of Patience, written for NaNo in 2010). I’ll peek to the hummingbirds, then to snippets of sport news. My Niners are in second place in the NFC West, the husband’s Packers in third in the NFC North. Chicago plays Dallas tonight; perhaps the Packers will benefit from a Cowboys win, and move in front of the Bears!

Love the shirt, Anna! I’m working on getting into the NaNo frame of mind. You’re picture reminds me that I’ll need to purchase a new elbow brace before November…..my Velcro is getting worn. Congrats on your wins yesterday!